Gary F. Vanucci's Blog, page 21

Roll Playing vs. Role Playing?

First of all...Happy New Year everyone!



Secondly, the winner of the 'How much would you pay for an eBook' poll was by far the $2.99 to $7.99 slot with 61% of the vote and the $8.99 to $12.99 slot coming in second with 29% of the vote. Just in case anyone was following and wanted to know the results!



Thirdly, I have a new subject for you to discuss for you RPG gamers out there--Roll Playing vs. Role Playing! Here we go...



Is there room for both in your game? I think so. I have often asked myself if the game master or dungeon master of your RPG can satisfy both. After much consideration, I have concluded that with the right preparation, yes, it can be done. I would always first and foremost cater to what your players want to do with regards to play style. Do they enjoy hack and slash, puzzles, role-playing, problem solving, etc? You as the referee of the game would know this best if you play with friends. I as the GM/DM would often find that I wanted my players to get involved with the storyline one way or the other before unleashing any type of combat on them as I believe that a firm understanding of a specific goal is important--especially if you spend a good deal of time preparing something for them to enjoy. I feel that any of us can cater to his or her players' desires for the most part, while still being able to fit them into the environment or setting that you envisioned.



I have played with players that enjoy both the role-playing aspect and the combat of the game. The majority of my players have enjoyed the combat the most. They want to put themselves into the role of hero and save the day, using their swords and sorcery to down the evil-doers. And who doesn't? It is what drew me to comic books, sci-fi/fantasy novels and role-playing games in the first place….



There are also a good amount of players who want to solve the puzzles or riddles or who want to be the ones who solve the mystery set upon them in order to go through a passageway or advance further into a dungeon. There are also tests that can put players into a situation where they have to figure out what makes a creature/villain tick or what his/her/it's weakness might be in order to resolve the issues.



These tests can be a good deal of fun as well and I implore any of you gamers out there to try to experience them all. All of it is designed for one thing that I think we can all agree on: no matter what school you hail from, games are designed to give you an escape from reality and to share some time with friends or with people of like mind. So, no matter what game you play, no matter what genre you play in and no matter what style you choose, make sure you are having fun!

 

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts with us and comment on what kind of games, play style or genres you enjoy most! I look forward to your posts. Have a great week everyone!







See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photo from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Happy Holidays!

With the holidays coming (or already started), I wanted to take time to thank everyone that has contributed to the blog here. To everyone that has read my blogs, novel, short stories and what-have-you, I thank you all and hope that I can live up to the challenge of continuing to produce quality posts to keep you entertained and thinking.









With Christmas and New Year's around the corner, I am taking the rest of the year off to spend time with family and friends. Know that I have several short stories into an editor and there should be several available for download in the first quarter of next year, which I hope you all enjoy. Then I can back to writing book 2 in the 'Beginnings' series.



I will also have the results of the 'How Much Would You Pay For an eBook?' poll early next year to share with you all.



So, with that said, I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year and I will talk to you all again next year!





(PS. Do not forget the contest for the naming of the Character Class of Elec Stormwhisper. I am eagerly awaiting more suggestions from fans, so please feel free to chime in!)







See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photo from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Is a Picture Really Worth a Thousand Words?

I have heard this said on numerous occasions and believe the concept to be sound. While the saying is somewhat true, I disagree on a few points and I will tell you why as we move along here. When you gaze at a piece of art, it is meant to engage you emotionally. It brings up or plays on many feelings and emotions without uttering a word. If you look at classic art or abstract art, you cannot help but be moved. I am told that if you gaze upon Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' in person, that it is breathtaking. This I cannot refute.





When you look at a picture in a book depicting a scene within or even a movie based on a book, the setting is there as a backdrop and many details can be overlooked by an audience as the action and the acting takes center stage. This fact robs the viewer somewhat of important details that you could not ignore if you were reading a book. Most series or movies are trying to fit many words into an hour and half film as well, which is difficult at best. Even with a limitless budget, it is impossible to cram that much detail into movie. A series is a bit easier, but still, details are left out. It is unavoidable.





Like any artist, the writer sets the scene and describes the landscape and what someone is feeling within an environment. The detail of this can be simple or even downright unbelievably thorough. That can be easily lost in a picture. Inner-monologue that reflects the degree of emotion within is lost, and sadly so. That descriptive inner monologue can be the greatest part about a story or novel and is the driving force behind the entire journey. Getting to experience what your hero or heroine sees through his or her eyes is literally unique to the written word. A narrative or description of an environment directly told from a character's point of view can be some of the most compelling drama ever experienced. Words can stir up more sensation and deliver a sense of impending doom, fear or elation more so than any director or actor could hope to convey in any movie.



That being said, I implore any of my readers to share passages or quotes from any book that may have affected them emotionally in some way. What passages have affected you deeply or made you walk away feeling uniquely satisfied?







 See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photo from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Class-Naming Contest for D&D RPG Supplement!

Elec by William Kenney
In the Realm of Ashenclaw novels, Elec Stormwhisper is a high elf with a mastery of alchemical skills. He transmutes plants and herbs into medicinal balms, healing elixirs and for the most part, combat-augmenting potions! In the stories, he quaffs them, one after the other, adding one effect after the other. He has spent years studying them and has perfected the combinations, taking them as far as he can. He uses them to add artificial and temporary boosts to his strength and speed, compensating a bit for his lack of natural raw martial prowess. He also uses the healing mixtures as a preemptive tactic, downing certain combinations that allow him to effectively begin the healing process from the inside out.









Elec by Justine Babcock


When naming the class, we came up with several different tentative names. He is a striker class that uses alchemical potions to enhance his combat and grant him certain effects. His alchemical unions grant him either a speed or strength augmentation as a class in 4th edition D&D.



The first working name was a simple one called the Alchemical Warrior. Then the Alchemic Warrior followed. After a brief research into alchemy, we were using another one called the Hermetic Warrior, based on the definition of hermetic: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of occult science, especially alchemy. Then there was the name Alchemystic, which was thrown about as well. Some of us liked some names, others likes different ones. 



What would you name this class if it was yours?



First off, let me know if you like one of the names listed above.



If we decide to use your suggestion, you will be given credit in the supplement; you will receive a signed hardcover of Covenant of the Faceless Knights and be given a free copy of the RPG supplement once it becomes available!





Good luck and I am really looking forward to seeing some creativity here! Let the naming begin!







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 See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photo from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.



Photo by Alexandre Jaeger Vendruscolo.  Elec sketches by William Kenney and Justine Babcock.

Ashenclaw Studios 2012 Game Plan

With the New Year fast approaching and my new job demanding much of my attention, I wanted to address a post concerning what Ashenclaw Studios has in store for 2012!



Firstly, I have been writing and editing and generally poring over a series of short stories that I intend to release soon, hopefully in the first quarter of the year. I am targeting around April to have at least the first of the six out, with the others to follow shortly after. The short stories will include the happenings of the three High Council members Tiyarnon the High Priest of The Shimmering One, Nimaira Silvershade, the half-elven mage and Rolin Hardbeard, the dwarven warrior, prior to the Prologue to CotFK*. If you read the book, it may explain why they had to go and find help! Then I will add tales (from approximately 12 years or so prior to the novel) concerning our protagonists, which will add to the character building and give a glimpse into their history, describing important events in their past that put them on the paths they currently walk. These will theoretically be ninety-nine cent downloads straight to your kindles, Nooks, iPads and other reading devices.







Secondly, Nick Titano (of Infernal Titans & Ashenclaw Studios) and I, as well as the rest of the gang at the studio (Tom, Liz and the others) are working on a role-playing aid that we intend to publish as a supplement to 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons as well. The work has stalled a bit with the holidays approaching, but we plan to accelerate the work after the first of the year. This is requiring quite a bit of work, as we are intending to give the audience a broad and general lay of the land with all of the important towns and hotspots in Wothlondia clearly marked and a brief description of the towns. We figured a general description of the cities and areas might be just the spark that a Dungeon Master might need to spice up his own campaign or even start a new one in the Realm of Ashenclaw setting. We are also working on a brand new character class based on the alchemistic stylings of Elec Stormwhisper in the first novel. He is being designed as Nick describes it as "an At-Will, Encounter, Daily, Utility class," as well as a few new monsters that we have play tested and are—if I may say so—awesome! We are also working on a shield-bashing Ranger defender essentials build.



As a side note, I will be having a contest shortly to give the potion-popping class of Elec Stormwhisper a name where you can win a signed copy of CotFK if we choose your suggestion! We have a few ideas, but I am not going to give any indication of what we are thinking and leave it strictly up to you.



There are also several themes being worked on as well for the RPG. I am shooting for a midsummer release of this with possibly more supplements to come. I will keep anyone posted that asks. This will certainly be available as a download for sure and we are looking into a possible print version, though I would like more feedback from you gamers out there what you would like to see. Is a download to your laptop or tablet good enough?



Thirdly, I am hoping beyond hope to release the second novel in the Beginnings series by the end of next year. I am leaning again toward an eBook only version of this, but have not decided for sure. I had started writing this late last year with an outline and got about 1/3 of the way through before business decisions tore me away from this and back to getting the first novel published and put together. It is tentatively entitled -- Secrets of the Ebonite Mines.





As always, I would love to hear from any and everyone concerning the stories and the RPG supplement.



*Covenant of the Faceless Knights, my first full-length novel.









See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photos from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Is Writing A Full Time Job?

 As I have started a new job this week in the I.T. field (FINALLY!), in which I had earned a B.S. last December, I am finding that it requires quite a bit of my attention! As anyone who has started a new job, the requirements, training and familiarization that comes with that is quite a job in itself. Tasked with aiding those who are both technologically challenged and those who are aces in the department, familiarizing myself with the company and its policies, and for the next week, traveling out of state, I find it can be a bit overwhelming.



Don't misunderstand my point, I am grateful to be working at all in this economic environment and am thankful for that. There are so many of us out of work in the U.S. that I am grateful to not only be working, but doing something that I like! That being said, most everyone has demanding jobs, social lives and families, etc, that pull you away from your writing. How do you deal with it?







I assume that with time, my job will hopefully become less intense and the answers I need to access will become clearer. Most of us have families, children and relatives that require quality time and raising children is a lot of work, I know. But with family, work, cooking, cleaning, running errands and whatever other activities we have, when do you find time to write?



I ask you this: Is writing a full time job?



Share with my peers and I how you make time to write.











See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photos from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

Epic Fantasy…Steady As She Goes

It lingers and lurks around every corner, waiting to dig its claws into the next unsuspecting victim. Hanging back in the shadows, it waits for an unsuspecting and wide-eyed person to wander into its midst…. What is it?





Fantasy!



The genre, along with its blurry-edged step-sibling, Sci-Fi, have been captivating imaginations worldwide for decades. It is a staple genre and one that I feel will survive anything.



As a follow up to the fairly popular topic I posted recently, Is YA Fantasy Taking Over, I add these thoughts about plain 'ol fantasy!



Will the genre ever decrease in popularity? I don't think so. Just like the super hero and zombie genres, they will remain constant. Why, you may ask? In my humble opinion, the fans of these genres are 'lifers'. They remain unwavering in their commitment to the genre and will never lose interest, no matter their age, workload, responsibilities or income.





One thing we have going for us is that simple fact: fantasy literature is steady. There seems to be no swells or drops; it simply is. I take that with me when I write, knowing that the audience if faithful, intelligent, imaginative and passionate! Fantasy I filled with action, mythical creatures and even some good romance, as well as the manipulation of the supernatural to propel your story. Fantasy has taken a fantastic bump in popularity ever since Tolkien breathed life into it that fateful day in September of 1937! With The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings that followed, fantasy has never been the same. And I love him for it! And ever since 2001, when Peter Jackson breathed cinematic life into Tolkien's words, the genre has never been more popular.



What do you think?









See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photos from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted.

The 'Other' Point of View (A Look Into the Antagonists!)

Hello, internet!





Since you have been overwhelmed and inundated with the protagonists that wander the Realm of Ashenclaw and the continent of Wothlondia, I thought it might be...nice?...to show you the dark side for those of you who enjoy the villains! Here is a brief excerpt from Covenant of the Faceless Knights, in which the main baddies are introduced. I hope you enjoy this one as the end of the story indicates just how evil they are!









  Zabalas sat upon his intricate throne within the Bastion of Skulls, which was simply how his many servants referred to his castle in its newest and most glorious form. Not only were there skulls of every conceivable race and creature adorning the walls and floors within the castle, but the entire exterior of it had somehow been built using skulls and not stone. 

 He had reflected on how he took his rightful place as leader of his many minions and how he had acquired powerful associates with much in common. He thought about his exchange with the few tribes of goblinoids, convincing them that they had been lying dormant for far too long and that they should claim their rightful place as rulers of Wothlondia. He was now trying to show the potent forces that lay below the surface to aid in the great cause, too. He was in league with an influential and extremely powerful force that desired as many allies as possible.To Zabalas' right stood a sickening creature. It was alive and yet, it wasn't. It was undead.  The creature was a mockery of its once human life and stood drooling and staring out as Zabalas spoke. It listened intently but never uttered a word as Zabalas continued to share his thoughts. In walked a tall female with long white hair and very pale, but incredibly beautiful skin that seemed quite a disparity to her dark clothing. She had a set of rather large amber eyes that seemed to display a not-so-subtle wickedness.  She wore a deep black outfit with some red accents that included a leather chest guard. The upper torso had a large oval shape of fabric cut out purposely in the center to bluntly show a large portion of her cleavage. She wore a set of gloves and boots that ended high up on the arm and leg respectively and a loincloth that was a series of leather strips in layers dangling to her mid-thigh. Upon her shapely hips was a pair of loose-hanging belts. The hilt of a sword protruded from a scabbard hanging on her left hip and a scourge, with its many thongs about its handle hung low on her right.She halted her advance and looked into a small mirror which she held out, her amber eyes gazing back at her reflection. She was wickedly beautiful. She was a succubus, a race of half-breed demons, commonly referred to as cambions. The cambions are the offspring of the pure descendants of the Demon Queen,  called Aspects. The succubi made their home within the subterrane, which was obvious to any who knew their history, but most had not. The surface folk know that just before the reign of Ashenclaw, they faced a force that was secretly influencing their people into deeds of unparalleled treachery. The humans and elves wisely deduced that the succubi, who appeared as beautiful visions to their victims, were the source. The elves and humans eventually found them out and forced her succubi race deep into the bowels of the earth. The succubi, however, regrouped during their time out of the sun, where they found refuge in those dark caverns. They embraced their new home and began plotting for the time when man would be made aware of their indomitable presence once more. There was much revenge for her Demon Queen to feast upon in the very near future, she thought as she continued into the throne room, replacing the tiny mirror in her belt pouch."It is good to have you back, my dearest Phaera," Zabalas said. His voice sounded inhuman coming from behind his devilishly styled black helmet, long horns jutting out from its sides. The albino cambion was smiling and seemed not at all threatened by the imposing dark warlord seated in the throne before her, or of the undead creature that stood hunched beside it.  Zabalas removed his helmet as the woman approached the throne, revealing a very handsome, albeit pale face, with long dark hair and the blackest eyes she had ever seen on a man.  He sat and stroked his smooth chin and grinned at her, conveying an almost arrogant visage. She smiled in response and spoke."Plans are proceeding as you requested and we are meeting with my brood in a few eves, "she calmly replied, moving even closer to him to stare into his cold eyes."I am confident that my brood will act in accordance with us, as will perhaps more than a few others of my kin," the succubus finished, leaning in even closer with her lavender-colored lips and teasing him with the possibility of a kiss. She was a very attractive woman for any race, be it succubi or otherwise. "The Daughters of Asmodai will certainly be interested in what you have to say, but I cannot speak for any of the other broods, even though my mother is regarded widely as the heiress of the entire enclave," Phaera continued, her lavender lips almost touching his."I tolerate you because of your connections," he warned as he unceremoniously pushed her back an arm's length away.  "Your abilities have no effect on me, Phaera, remember that," Zabalas continued as he reminded her once more that he was in control now and always. Her pheromones had no effect on him and he made sure to remind her every so often."I have plans that the gods will lament," Zabalas continued, completely missing a frustrated look on the face of the succubus. "If you plan on fitting into them, I suggest you remember your place," he continued threatening in a low and even-tempered voice, beginning to smile viciously once more. "Tell me again of the doppelganger's success," Zabalas asked, clearly wanting the satisfaction of hearing the tale once more."I alread, ," Phaera began and then caught the look upon Zabalas' face and carefully rephrased her answer.

"We managed to infiltrate Oakhaven as you instructed, using my abilities and those of the djinni. No one suspected," she explained. "We managed to find an apprentice quite easily and Solagh managed to gain his form and memories. We were close to being uncovered a few times, but managed to circumvent the fool priests. We left Solagh to his measures and returned here," she finished."Yes, Solagh needed some time to do his part," Zabalas added. "The magic of his amulet needed some time to work, after all." Phaera did not know what that amulet did exactly, but she knew he could simulate the effects of their pheromones.Again, the door to his throne room opened, pulling Phaera from her thoughts and preventing Zabalas from adding anything else to the conversation. In walked a male dwarf. At least he looked like a dwarf at first, until one could make out the coloration of his face, which was very pale. He was a slagfell dwarf, which was how all others referred to his kin. Their greed was legendary and surpassed even those of the dwarves, who hold gems in very high regard. They were once themselves a clan of dwarves, whose greed drove them ever further into the subterrane to unearth more and more treasures.This particular slagfell dwarf was covered in head to toe with gray-colored, plated armor. He stood approximately four feet in height and his head was bald. On that head were strange brandings, specifically on his forehead and the sides of his neck. He wore a long gray beard that was braided into sections that hung next to one another."Megnus, we are busy," teased the succubus as the slagfell strode closer to them. "I have news for ye, mighty Zabalas!" he stated as he banged a fist off of his massive breastplate in an apparent salute. Phaera noticeably rolled her eyes."Go on," Zabalas gestured, none too thrilled about being interrupted again, but wanted to hear the news."The barbarian village to the south, Chansuk, has been broken by yer Dark Legion, Me Lord," he calmly reported. "Yer waves of goblinoid forces have been devastating to the structured Races of Order, I'm thinkin'. Goblinoids of all kinds have joined yer mighty forces and soon will the ogres and trolls, if they be knowin' what's good for 'em!" Megnus said excitedly, again pounding a fist off his metal chest piece in salute to Zabalas. "And of course, ye have the full support of Shadowmere…."Zabalas spun to face the warrior. "I have not yet begun to piece this legion together," he forcefully explained to the slagfell. "That is obvious."Megnus saw the succubus snicker out of the corner of his eye as if she enjoyed seeing the repercussions of the incensed warlord focused on him and not her. Megnus noticed and let it go without causing a confrontation. After all, she was an offspring of Lilith, the Demon Queen, and he did not want to begin what would surely be an irreversible blight on the two races. Especially since Zabalas had recently begun his recruitment of the succubi into his army.

 "That undead wretch that ye have acquired should be growin' in strength soon too, as ye suggested," Megnus congratulated, drawing a sadistic smile and nod from the obsidian-clad warlord, who abruptly stood."That 'wretch' of which you speak was once a very powerful mage…leave me now, for I have much to think about," he instructed, beginning to dislike how the slagfell was regarding his other guest. "My plans require even more power than we have already assembled. If I can unite even one brood of succubi and their thralls with an entire city of slagfell dwarves, the surface creatures will become much less of a concern," Zabalas explained, slamming a gauntleted fist into his open palm. "Soon, I will convince all of the surface brutes to join me, but for now the lich and the succubi families are my main focus," he continued, speaking to himself more than anyone else.As Megnus and Phaera continued to walk away, the slagfell leaned in to the succubus."Ye'll never replace his Nydiri," he whispered to her. "To think so is to tempt the hand of demons ye can't imagine."Without warning or even a sound, and before the succubus could respond, the slagfell warrior was launched from his scaled boots by a mighty hand. He was sent spinning through the air to land unceremoniously on his back. Megnus came to a stop and wiped his bleeding lip, all the while looking up in shock at the dark figure towering over him, who was glaring at him with contempt and rage, the likes of which he had never known before. It shook the warrior to his core! How'd this man cross ten paces so durned quickly in that heavy armor and not even make a sound? Megnus finally wondered, his face stinging from the heavy blow. Zabalas' face appeared inhuman to the slagfell dwarf. It was pale and vicious, with a look of unholy power in his black eyes that seemed not to register any pupils at present, he looked truly demonic.The blackened armor that the warlord bore was so polished that he could witness his own horrified reflection within its shiny, mirrored sheen. As if noticing for the first time, Megnus observed that Zabalas' armor was completely pristine, whereas his own armor was dull and marked with numerous battle scars. "You shall never speak that name again!" Zabalas threatened as he withdrew his large and wicked sword from its scabbard, its tip drawing closer to Megnus. Its glow ranged in hue from pink to a deep purple flame that flickered along its length as he inched it closer to touch the pale skin of Megnus' face. The slagfell warrior involuntarily flinched in response as a cold sensation washed over him."Or you will feel the cold taste of my blade as it drains your very life…slowly," Zabalas finished the threat calmly in a whisper to the fallen warrior.The slagfell could have sworn he saw a smiling face within the flames of the sword. Megnus had never before witnessed anything like the power that this man possessed; if indeed he was a man. Zabalas was the most powerful creature the slagfell warrior had ever seen and he felt it wise to remain on his good side. Megnus Bloodstone was a general within his clan's military structure, a prince and heir to the throne of Shadowmere, and was a seasoned warrior who battled everything the subterrane and the surface folk could muster. But this individual triggered an unparalleled fear and that was a very alien emotion to the warrior.Whatever…thing… gave Zabalas his power…it be a ruinous creature fer sure, I'm thinkin', Megnus realized. He sat amidst the piles of bones on Zabalas' throne room floor in humiliation and watched the warlord walk away from him.Zabalas returned to his throne as Megnus stood up. Phaera, the albino succubus, snickered again to herself as she watched the proud slagfell right himself and exit the throne room. The ire in the warlord's expression and the ferocity of that backhand strike told her exactly what his legendary bride-to-be meant to him. What a woman you must have been, Nydiri, Phaera thought.Legend also stated that Zabalas was once a templar and that his beloved was killed while he was off fighting in a war. She looked up from where the slagfell had landed, noticing the small spatter of blood on the floor, and then back to the man on the throne again. She thought of how he seemed to transform a bit more and more each day into something more fierce…more demonic…and wondered if it really was her imagination or not.Yes, this version of Zabalas had the potential to lead the very forces of Pandemonium into war, she thought as she smiled, and continued on toward her chambers. Aspect Nahemia would be wise in choosing Zabalas as her champion!Once in her room, she gazed into the larger mirror on her wall, stared into it and willed her natural demonic side to show through, revealing a more ferocious and distorted type of beauty as her amber eyes glowed bright in the mirror's reflection. Curved, ivory horns jutted from her still-white forehead and her ears sharpened at the tips, looking like an elf in that regard. The claws on her fingers elongated and hardened. A set of bat-like wings sprung from her back and a tail sprouted from her backside. She smiled, revealing a sharp pair of fangs. Then she quickly willed that form to fade and ran a hand through her thick, white hair, and lay down on her bed comfortably as sleep took her. Zabalas was seated upon his throne once more. "My power is growing with each eve, isn't it father?" Zabalas directed toward the undead creature at his side. The creature looked at Zabalas as if to say something, but merely gargled something foul and looked away from him. This was of course due to the fact that the creature had no tongue. "I employ one large contingent of orcs and goblins, who are completely under my command and there is more to come…," he said, folding his arms over his chest. "Now, I must once more confer with the lich and make sure we are working toward regaining the item that holds the key to his unbridled and glorious return to power," Zabalas continued explaining to the undead creature. He started to head away from his throne, with the sound of his steel boots echoing in the large, near-empty hall. "With this once-powerful creature returned to full strength and at my beck and call, the possibilities are endless!"With that, Zabalas exited his throne room, disappearing down a hall. The undead creature that was once his father shambled loyally just a few paces behind.







His whaaaaatt??!! See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!



Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase Covenant of the Faceless Knights and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!



Photos from Stock.xchng.



All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios, LLC 2011 unless otherwise noted

A Wiki for Covenant of the Faceless Knights!

Check out the wiki of Covenant of the Faceless Knights started by Tera @ succubus.net! Just wanted to share and to show the incredible amount of work that she does. He review is extremely detailed and extremely favorable. I am humbled by her words...



If you get the chance, take a peek at her own blog, A Succubi's Tale.



The link to wiki page and her amazing review can be seen HERE! Enjoy and thanks, Tera!

Pushing Through Writer's Block

Did you ever have one of those days or series of days, or even weeks when you are not motivated to write? I am talking to you—writer, scribbler, journalist, blogger, term-paper writer and editor. I can push through it most times and once I am rolling, there is no stopping me. Sometimes I write so fast that I have to go back and re-write something so that it has a clearer presentation to the reader. But, there are days when I am not motivated to write at all. I try to do some everyday and the goal is anywhere from 500-2000 words or so. If I can land in that area, I am satisfied. Anything below is disappointing, but sometimes unavoidable if I have other pressing business. Anything above that mark is considered a good day. 

I think that every writer hits the wall and the best thing is to step away, clear the head and do something else for at least a few hours. Usually removing yourself form the environment is best, so taking a walk, watching a bit of mindless TV or maybe spending some time with those people you live with (yes, your family) can be just what we need. Even reading a bit sometimes motivates me to get back to the computer and start anew.

But, what if you don't have the time to walk away? A deep breath, a quick count to ten and maybe a refresh of your beverage is going to have to do. I would try to avoid this as much as possible, but sometimes we cannot.

What are some tricks or ideas that some of you kind folks out there in cyberspacehave that might get our struggling writer back into the proper frame of mind to continue their plot, story, article or term paper? 

Please share your thoughts. As always, I look forward to your comments!






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